Hay-rack



(-NS'Model.) S 2 SheetsS heet 2.

J. A. WITHROW.

HAY RALGK. No. 337,105. v Patented Mar. 2, 1886.

WITNESSES: INVENIOR:

Wag/fizz. WW0

ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Plwinillhngmphnr. wnshin mm D L I UNITED STATES PATENT, Orrica.

JOSEPH A. VVITHROW, OF SOB-ANTON CITY, IOWA.

HAY-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,105, dated March 2, 1886.

Application filed November 16, 1885. Serial No. 183,058.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEPH A. WITHROW, of Scranton City, in the county of Greene and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hay and Grain Racks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming a part thereof, in which- Figure l is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 00min Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of one of the spring-clips by which the rack is supported. Fig. 4 is an end elevation, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation. of my improved rack as arranged for receiving a canvas covering.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a hay-rack to be applied to wagons for the purpose of transporting hay and grain, which may be readily adjusted to adapt it to wagons of different sizes, and which may be readily converted into a frame for receiving a canvas covering to adapt the wagon to the use of excursionists, emigrants, sportsmen, or hunters.

The center bar, A, forming the main support for the main parts of the rack, is provided with feet B, which are designed to rest upon the bottom of the wagon-box 0 when the rack is in position on the wagon. In the present case the rack is provided with three pairs of transverse bars, D, whose inner ends are apertured to receive the angled rods a, which pass through the bar A and are threaded and provided with nuts b, by which they may be adjusted so as to bring the inner ends of the bars D nearer the central bar, A, when it is desired to increase the elevation of the outer ends of the arms. Upon the under surface of each arm is secured a bowispring, c, by screws 11, which pass through slots 6 into the under surface of the bars D. Upon the convex portion of each springcis secured a clip,f,which opens downward and embraces the upper edges of the side-boards of the wagon-box G. Upon the upper surface of the bars D, near their outer ends, are secured longitudinal bars 9, and parallel to the bars 9, near the midlength of the bars D, are secured longitudinal I ing their capacity and utility.

bars h.

(No model.)

when it is desired to convert the rack into a frame for supporting a canvas covering the spaces between the several bars 9 h and the central bar, A, are filled with flooring-boards i. The opposite ends of the rack thus formed are provided with transverse bars j, which connect the sides of the rack and serve to stiffen it, and also. to retain the load at the ends of the rack.

To the middle pair of bars are attached braces k, which extend down the outer sides of the wagon-box O and serve to stiffen the middle of the rack. To the sides of the rack thus formed are hinged frames E, formed of transverse bars l and longitudinal bars in, secured thereto in any suitable way.

The bars Z at the middle of the frames Eare provided with plates n, having several apertures 0 for receiving the end of a hook, p, which is pivoted to the middle bar, D, and which will hold the side frame, E, at any desired angle by inserting the hook p in one or the other of the holes 0 in the plate a. The pintles of the hinges g, by which the frames E are secured to the rack, are held in place in the eye of the hinge by keys 9".

Each bar Z of each frame E is provided with clips 5, for receiving the ends of bows F,which extend up over the top of the rack, and which, in connection with the rack, form a frame for supporting a canvas covering when the wagon to which the rack is applied is employed for exoursionists, emigrants, 85C.

My improved rack is supported partly upon the springs 0, so that the jolting of its contents is to a great extent avoided. It is prevented from sliding laterally by the braces it,

move at their ends.

To facilitate placing the rack on the wagon or removing it therefrom, the hinges and joints by which the side pieces and body of the rack are connected may be disjointed.

When the rack is not in use, the side pieces may be folded .over on the body, when the rack may be stored in a small space.

My improved side pieces may be applied to any of the racks now in use, thereby increaswhile the springs 0, being slotted, are free to Having thus described my invention,what-I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a hay-rack, the combination, with a central bar, A, of transverse bars D, the adjustable angled rods 0, the longitudinal bars h g, transverse bars j, and the slotted curved springs 0, provided with clips f, substantially 4. In a hay-rack, the combination, with the body of the rack, constructed substantially as herein described, of side frames, E, hinged thereto, clips 8, attached to the side frames, E, and bows F, received by the clips 8, as described.

5. In a hay-rack, the combination, with a body formed of the bar A, of.transveise bars D, longitudinal bars h g, springs c, clipsf, braces lc, transverse bars j, side frames, E, apertured plates 12, attached thereto, books pivoted to the bars D and received in the apertures of the plate 01, clips 8, and the bows F, substantially as herein specified.

JOSEPH A. WITHROW'.

\Vitnesses:

D. G. GRoMWELL, O. F. FORD. 

